Collective Failure
> "I don't know what criteria Tsunade-sama uses to accept disciples."
Yuyan, who had been diligently studying medical ninjutsu, clearly hoped she might become Tsunade's apprentice someday.
Although Tsunade was currently hindered from performing surgery due to her hemophobia, her theoretical expertise was unmatched in the shinobi world.
> "Honestly, I think you've got a shot," Bai Ye said. "The Byakugan would be a huge asset in medical treatment. I've never understood why more Hyūga don't study it."
This was something Bai Ye had always been curious about. Ignoring elemental ninjutsu, medical ninjutsu felt tailor-made for the Byakugan.
> "If they don't want to learn it, how would I know why?" Yuyan retorted with a glare. If she hadn't taken an interest in Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred technique, she wouldn't have wasted time on medical ninjutsu either.
While the Gentle Fist required precise chakra control, medical ninjutsu demanded an even higher degree of finesse—not to mention Tsunade's chakra-enhanced strength, which was on a whole different level.
> "Can you two stop arguing?" Yue interrupted sharply. "I can't hear what Orochimaru's saying."
The arena was already loud, and Yue was doing her best to focus. With Bai Ye and Yuyan bickering beside her, she feared missing something important.
Bai Ye and Yuyan exchanged awkward looks and quieted down, directing their attention back to the match.
> "Next up: Sarutobi Asuma versus Yamashiro Aoba."
The announcement boomed from the screen above, and the crowd stirred. Bai Ye and the others realized too late that they hadn't heard a word of Orochimaru's commentary.
Yue shot them both an angry glare and headed upstairs with the others.
> "She started it. Women are so damn troublesome…" Bai Ye muttered, finally realizing Yue had been the one who spoke first.
> "What did you just say?"
Before he could react, Yuyan slipped behind him like a ghost and locked her arm around his throat.
He'd been so focused on Yue that he forgot the more dangerous girl was right beside him.
Unable to speak, Bai Ye surrendered and grabbed hold of Yuyan to carry her along as he followed the others to the second floor.
Mid-jump, his hand moved on instinct—and immediately froze when he felt a soft, unmistakable sensation under his fingertips.
> "Eight Trigrams: One Hundred and Twenty-Eight Palms!"
Just as they landed on the second floor, Yuyan struck with fury, doubling the standard attack out of sheer embarrassment and rage.
Bai Ye didn't even try to dodge. He had crossed the line—accidentally or not—and at that moment, all he could think was: So that's what that feels like.
Despite her fierce expression, Yuyan hadn't infused the attack with chakra, so to Bai Ye it felt more like getting tickled than punished.
> "Winner: Yamashiro Aoba," Orochimaru announced.
> "Wait, what?! Asuma lost that fast?" Yuyan leaned over the railing, shocked to see Asuma being carried off on a stretcher.
> "That guy Aoba is no joke," Bai Ye muttered.
> "Agreed," Kakashi said nearby, arms crossed and eyes sharp. "He's strong enough to be a real threat."
> "Looks like I underestimated this Chūnin Exam," Bai Ye admitted. He'd thought Kakashi would be his only real competition.
But the truth was clear now—most of the older Genin had already been eliminated. Only Kakashi had advanced so far.
Even those without flashy techniques had years of training on their side. Raw talent alone wasn't enough.
Their sensei likely recommended them for experience, not victory. If they passed, that would be a bonus.
> "Next match: Might Guy vs. Uchiha Obito."
Two from their class—both stepping into the ring together.
> "Poor Obito. This is what fate looks like," Bai Ye said, shaking his head.
> "Go, Obito!" Rin shouted from the sidelines.
> "Leaf Hurricane!" Guy's booming voice cut through the arena.
Rin's cheer had distracted Obito just long enough. Guy's kick landed clean on his jaw, sending him airborne.
Bai Ye winced. Obito's body spun mid-air like a rag doll, and when he landed, he was completely dazed.
> "Winner: Might Guy."
It was the fastest match of the day—possibly of the whole tournament.
> "Well, Guy's win gave us a bit of hope," Yuyan said.
> "Yeah. Hope built on his own teammate's defeat," Bai Ye muttered dryly.
Guy's advancement lifted the group's morale, though Obito paid the price. Meanwhile, Obito was grinning like an idiot as Rin patched him up, clearly happy to be getting her attention.
> "Kakashi, you better win. We can't lose to Bai Ye's class," Guy said with fire in his eyes.
Despite Guy's win, Kakashi's class had taken a beating—only he remained.
From Bai Ye's group, both Yue and Yuyan had advanced. Zhiyi's team had been completely eliminated.
That left only Kakashi and Bai Ye untested.
The string of losses brought reality crashing down on the hopeful Genin. They began to realize they weren't as ready as they'd thought. Most of them were already thinking about training harder for next year's exam.
> "Is that white-haired guy really the genius everyone talks about?"
> "If he's so great, why is he the only one from his class who advanced? Maybe he's all hype."
> "But I heard he's Jiraiya-sama's student."
> "So what? The other two of Jiraiya-sama's apprentices have already been eliminated."
Kakashi had built quite a reputation. Graduating at five, youngest in Academy history—he was a symbol of talent.
But now, Obito and Rin were being dragged through the mud as comparisons were drawn.
> "Damn it, Kakashi—you have to win this," Obito growled, finally putting his pride aside to root for his rival.
Even the injured Genin were cheering. Their pride was on the line.
With Guy out cold, Kakashi was their last hope.
If Bai Ye's team—all younger—advanced further than they did, the shame would be unbearable.
> "Nagging idiots…" Kakashi muttered.
But as he stepped into the arena, he felt something stir inside him. His teammates' cheers struck deeper than he expected. Somewhere in his cold, precise mind, a spark of warmth lit up.